Career Counseling for Mentally Ill

Career Counseling for Mentally Ill Workers

The Interview Process

It is against the law for a potential employer to ask about your health during a job interview, and that includes mental health. Some job candidates choose to be completely open. They feel that they don't want to work for an employer that would discriminate against them because of mental illness. Some candidates are proud of the strides they have made in overcoming and living with their condition. A story of human triumph can tug at the heartstrings, but it can also demonstrate tenacity and a good work ethic to a potential employer.

Finally, some introduce their condition as a way of explaining a less-than-stellar segment of their resume. For instance, a bout of depression during college might have caused your G.P.A. to slip. However, you don't want to create the unfavorable impression that you will use your illness as an excuse. Look for alternative ways to create a better picture of your job readiness. Simply leave your G.P.A. off your resume. If there is a gap in your employment history, rearrange your resume to focus on training, skills and accomplishments rather than a chronological list of employment.

Deciding What to Divulge

Even though great strides have been made in treatment, there is still a stigma attached to mental illness in our society. Thus, the issue of how much information to give supervisors and coworkers is a serious concern for those with a mental illness as they enter a new work situation.

It can be difficult to strike a balancing act. You may want to raise awareness of mental health issues, but keep in mind that your responsibility at work is to be the best employee you can be. It's up to you to decide what information about your health history to share, and deciding what to reveal can be difficult. You don't want your coworkers to treat you any differently, but you may need them to understand if you experience an occasional bout of erratic behavior. You want your employer to be understanding of your health situation, but you don't want to open yourself up to discriminatory treatment.

There is no right answer to the question of who to tell and how much to reveal. However, if you think mental illness may occasionally affect your job performance or cause concern to coworkers, you may want to give your supervisor at least the basic information that you are dealing with an illness.

Know Your Rights

If your employer knows about your history of serious mental illness, and you feel that you have been discriminated against because of it, you may be eligible for protection under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA also requires that employers provide reasonable accommodations to remove barriers to employment. This can mean working in a separate office if it helps you concentrate, being allowed additional sick leave for medical appointments, or any number of other small steps that can make a career possible.

Don't Do It Alone

You don't have to go through the job search alone. Seek out local social service agencies that may be able to assist you. Take advantage of any job skills workshops or employment counseling services they offer. They can also help you use assessment tools to find the jobs for which you would be most qualified.

Keep in contact with your mental health professional during the job search process and as you start a new position. Depending on your condition, large changes and new sources of stress may exacerbate your symptoms. You want to put your best foot forward at any new job, and you need to be in the best health to do so.

Additional Resources

The following articles can help you learn more about the needs of mentally ill workers and the success stories they have experienced:

• "Career Counseling with Clients Who Have a Severe Mental Illness" by Robyn Caporoso and Mark Kiselica – This scholarly article outlines the struggles faced by these workers in addition to offering suggestions to those providing career counseling for mentally ill clients.
• "Buckelew Programs Gives Mentally Ill A Way To Succeed" – A California agency offers a full range of services to the area's mentally ill population, including employment counseling and job placement assistance.
• "Mentally Ill Professionals Present a New Challenge" by Elyse Tanouye – Against the larger backdrop of an increasing number of employees with mental illness, the author presents the story of several workers who have found success despite living with schizophrenia, depression, or other conditions.